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Academic School Year |
Do FAFSA for |
Can Complete FAFSA |
Covers Terms |
Use Tax Year Data |
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2021-2022 |
2022 |
10/1/20 - 6/30/22 |
Fall 2021 Spring 2022 Smr 2022 |
2019 |
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2022-2023 |
2023open now!
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10/1/21 - 6/30/23 |
Fall 2022 Spring 2023 Smr 2023 |
2020 |
Whether a student is completing a bachelor’s program, associate’s program, a credential program, or a career technical education program, there’s money available to help.
If a student is a US Citizen, permanent resident, or other qualifying non-resident then they must submit a FAFSA by the March 2 Cal Grant Deadline to be eligible for the most opportunities. Students attending California Community Colleges can submit a FAFSA through September 2 of each year to be considered for a community college Cal Grant award. To start the FAFSA a student will need to create a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID so they can login and sign the completed application. The FAFSA is used to apply for state financial aid, like Cal Grant and the Middle Class Scholarship, federal financial aid programs like Pell Grant, and institutional aid from colleges like the Blue and Gold Scholarship or the State University Grant (SUG).
Undocumented students who meet AB 540 requirements will need to submit the CA Dream Act Application by the March 2 Cal Grant Deadline to be eligible for the most opportunities. Students attending California Community Colleges can submit a CA Dream Act Application through September 2 of each year to be considered for a community college Cal Grant award. After a student completes the CA Dream Act Application they must respond to requests for additional information including but not limited to the AB 540 affidavit from the student’s school of attendance. The CA Dream Act Application is used to apply for state financial aid, like Cal Grant and the Middle Class Scholarship as well as institutional aid from colleges like the Blue and Gold Scholarship or the State University Grant (SUG).
Students should create a WG4S account to monitor and manage their state awarded financial aid.
After a student’s FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application is processed, they will receive an email from CSAC letting them know it’s time to create their WebGrants 4 Students account. WebGrants 4 Students (WG4S) will let students check the status of their state grants, and take necessary steps to secure their aid. It’s important to note that a student’s WG4S account does not replace their school or FAFSA accounts and they may need more than one account to successfully apply for financial aid.
Stay up-to-date on deadlines and requirements by reading all correspondence from CSAC, FAFSA and your school of attendance.
It’s important to know that you’re under no obligation to accept all the federal student loan money made available to you. You can accept all, some or none of the federal student loans you’re offered. Your award letter may also include scholarships or grants, which is genuinely free money you never have to pay back. Try to use as much free money as you can before you borrow. Just remember to check the terms to ensure you can fulfill any requirements.
Most schools use an online portal that allows students to fully accept, decline or partially accept a loan when first starting admission. Usually student and/or parent will sign a promissory note. By signing the promissory note, you are promising to repay your student loan. The financial aid office for the school will guide them through the paperwork or direct them to the online Master Promissory Note if appropriate. *If you take out a loan from the Direct Loan Program, the U.S. Department of Education will be the lender.
Full Step by Step FAFSA and CADAA
*This is used as a tool to assist you in gathering information needed for the online application
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Step 1 |
How to Create FSA ID Video Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7ihhGk8mCY PPT:
What is an FSA ID? Students, parents, and borrowers are required to use an FSA ID, made up of a username and password, to access certain U.S. Department of Education websites. Your FSA ID is used to confirm your identity when accessing your financial aid information and electronically signing your federal student aid documents.
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Link to create an FSA ID: https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch
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Step 2 |
Help Parent Create THEIR OWN FSA ID It’s important to understand that the student and the parent may not share an FSA ID: Your FSA ID is your signature, so it has to be unique to you. If you are a parent of a dependent student, you will need your own FSA ID if you want to sign your child's FAFSA form electronically. If you have more than one child attending college, you can use the same FSA ID to sign all applications, but each child must have his or her own. When you create your FSA ID, you will be given the option to provide your email address and register your mobile phone number. If you choose to provide this information (we strongly encourage you to do so), it is important to remember that a mobile phone number or email address can be associated with only one FSA ID. For example, if you are a dependent student, you and your parent would not be able to provide the same email address or phone number when you each create your own FSA ID. Link to create an FSA ID: |
FAFSA General Overview Video Link:
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Step 3 |
Gather Parent’s 2020 Income Tax Information
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For more information about the EFC, see Funding Your Education: The Guide to Federal Student Aid at: https://studentaid.ed.gov/resources#information-on-getting. To request a free copy of Funding Your Education: The Guide to Federal Student Aid, call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).
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Step 4 |
Start your Financial Aid Application on October 1st, 2021 Complete Application for 2022-2023 (This is the application Current Seniors must complete) Complete by March 2nd!
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Link:
https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa
FAFSA Line-by-Line Video:
Completing FAFSA from CaliforniaColleges.edu: |
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Step 5 |
Complete your Application and have Ms. Angela Review (if necessary). |
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Step 6 |
Sign your Financial Aid Application with your FSA ID
Submit Application by March 2nd, 2021 in order to be considered for state aid (Cal Grants).
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*March 2nd is required in order to be eligible for Cal Grants. Financial aid is offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Essentially, the sooner you complete the form, the greater your chances of receiving financial aid. *The deadline to qualify for CA Community College Grants is September 2nd. ***If you have missed the FAFSA deadline, you will still need to complete and file your FAFSA as soon as possible. All FAFSA applications that are submitted after the processing deadline will be considered for funding only after all on-time filers have been awarded.
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Step 7 |
Create a WebGrants Account to view your grants. |
Link: |
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Step 8 |
Continuously check emails for requests to make corrections(If necessary) |
Application Worksheet Link:
*This is to assist you in gathering information for the online application
https://www.csac.ca.gov/sites/main/files/file-attachments/2018-19_dream_application_worksheet.pdf
Dream Act Application video Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RIaFanT9Oc
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What is AB 540? |
AB 540 exempts certain students from paying nonresident tuition (higher than resident tuition) and allows them to apply for different types of California Dream Act financial aid. STUDENTS MUST HAVE
**If you have Temporary Protected Status or hold a U Visa you may be eligible for the California Dream Act. AB 1899 allows U and T visa holders to also apply for state financial aid. (T visa holders should file a FAFSA, U visa holders should file a CA Dream Act Application) If you meet the requirements above, you should complete the CA Dream Act Application for financial aid. (A certified GPA is also necessary for Cal Grant consideration.)
Your college is responsible for verifying your AB 540 eligibility. Check with your Admissions Office early in the summer before the Fall Term starts.
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What is Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals / DACA? |
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a federal process that defers removal action of an individual by USCIS for a specified number of years.
CA Dreamers should still file a CA Dream Act Application instead of a FAFSA and submit a Non-SSN GPA. If you or your school submits your certified GPA using your DACA SSN, make sure you include that DACA SSN on question #8 of your CA Dream Act Application. For more info about DACA visit: uscis.gov, e4fc.org, and steps-to-apply-to-DACA For more details about the difference between DACA and California Dream Act download this PDF. |
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What Financial Aid can a Dreamer apply for? |
Application deadline for all Dreamer Cal Grants and most of the other aid listed above is March 2. DREAMER CAL GRANTS INCLUDE
A Dreamer Cal Grant application = CA Dream Act Application + Non-SSN GPA You can submit your GPA the following ways
You must meet the application deadline and all applicable eligibility requirements to qualify for any financial aid listed above. Get help on your application at a Cash for College workshop in your area. For other financial aid and resources for Dreamers visit: e4fc.org, maldef.org |
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More about Cal Grant |
Cal Grants For Dreamers The application deadline for all Dreamer Cal Grants is March 2. HIGH SCHOOL ENTITLEMENT CAL GRANT A & B
CCC TRANSFER ENTITLEMENT CAL GRANT A & B
CAL GRANT C
Dreamers are not eligible to receive Competitive Cal Grant A & B awards. A Dreamer Cal Grant application = CA Dream Act Application + Non-SSN GPA You must meet the application deadline and all applicable eligibility requirements to qualify for any Cal Grants listed above. If you are not eligible for a Dreamer Cal Grant, visit the financial aid office at your campus to find out what other aid is available. |
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Why do I need an AB 540 Affidavit? |
The affidavit is used for students whom meet the AB 540 requirements. The affidavit allows eligible students to receive In State Tuition at California Community Colleges, the University of California, and the California State University (all public colleges and universities in California). Affidavit Link: https://www.csac.ca.gov/sites/main/files/file-attachments/ab_540_affidavit.pdf |
Dream Act FAQ Link:
https://www.csac.ca.gov/sites/main/files/file-attachments/california_dream_act_faq.pdf
Parent Signature Page Link:
https://www.csac.ca.gov/sites/main/files/file-attachments/parent_signature_page.pdf
Cal Grant Disqualification Fact Sheet
http://www.csac.ca.gov/sites/main/files/file-attachments/g-20_disqualificationfactsheet.pdf
Understanding my Cal Grant
http://www.csac.ca.gov/sites/main/files/file-attachments/understanding_my_cal_grant.pdf
Cal Vet Waiver - Military
Useful Handouts and Presentations
PAYBACK Budgeting Game
Top 10 Mistakes made on the FAFSA
DreamAct FAQ.pdf